For lawyers seeking to establish or retain an edge in a green-building practice, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) makes the perfect accessory by demonstrating to clients a deep understanding of green building best practices and principles established by the United States Green Building Council. Unfortunately, obtaining LEED certification doesn't come easily. Most lawyers who've gone through the LEED certification process liken the rigorous process to the bar exam, according to Green-Buildings.com. As with the bar, a cottage industry of prep courses have cropped up to help aspiring LEED applicants pass the exam, which among other things, requires familiarity with the entire LEED building-certification process.

Still, despite the difficulties, is pursuing LEED certification a worthwhile endeavor, particularly for recently laid off lawyers who have time, and in some instances, generous severance packages on their hands? According to Green-Buildings.com, the sustainability industry has been relatively recession-proof and is expected to grow even more when the real estate industry rebounds. Indeed, a recent study by McGraw Hill predicts that the green-building market, both residential and commercial will double from $36-$49 billion to $96-$140 billion by 2013, with some of that money flowing from the $83 billion targeted for green jobs in the stimulus bill.

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Going Green to Make More Green

For lawyers seeking to establish or retain an edge in a green-building practice, LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) makes the perfect accessory by demonstrating to clients a deep understanding of green building best practices and principles established by the United States Green Building Council. Unfortunately, obtaining LEED certification doesn't come easily. Most lawyers who've gone through the LEED certification process liken the rigorous process to the bar exam, according to Green-Buildings.com. As with the bar, a cottage industry of prep courses have cropped up to help aspiring LEED applicants pass the exam, which among other things, requires familiarity with the entire LEED building-certification process.

Still, despite the difficulties, is pursuing LEED certification a worthwhile endeavor, particularly for recently laid off lawyers who have time, and in some instances, generous severance packages on their hands? According to Green-Buildings.com, the sustainability industry has been relatively recession-proof and is expected to grow even more when the real estate industry rebounds. Indeed, a recent study by McGraw Hill predicts that the green-building market, both residential and commercial will double from $36-$49 billion to $96-$140 billion by 2013, with some of that money flowing from the $83 billion targeted for green jobs in the stimulus bill.